Our voice_November

November 2011

Pacelli High School

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Girls selected to the homecoming court at Pacelli High School wait to find out who has been voted queen. Each girl was given a cupcake to eat (without hands), and the girl whose cupcake had red filling was homecoming queen. Callyn Haupert was named queen.

(KAYLYN KLUCK/OUR VOICE STAFF)

The Pacelli High School junior class plays against the senior class in the Power Puff volleyball game. The senior team won the game.

(KAYLYN KLUCK/OUR VOICE STAFF)

INSIDE

• Student to Know: Emily Erdmann • Dead or Alive: Chapter 12 • Author Spotlight: Thomas Lakeman A product of the Stevens Point Journal & Boys & Girls Club

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November 2011

Homecoming events showcase Pacelli pride

P

By Kaylyn Kluck

Pacelli High School juniors Andrea Davis, from left, Anna Lensmire, Natalie Riordan, Colleen Leary and Marisa Rice pose for a photo after the Powder Puff football game.

(KAYLYN KLUCK/OUR VOICE STAFF)

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The Pacelli High School senior-freshmen Powder Puff football team gathers for a photo after the game. (KAYLYN KLUCK/OUR VOICE STAFF)

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Our Voice Staff Pacelli High School Ninth-Grader

acelli Homecoming 2011, held the week of Oct. 3, was a week of special school events and fun dress-up days.

Monday was Mismatch Day, where students and staff were encouraged to wear their oddest clothing combinations to school. Tuesday was Twin Day, where students paired up and dressed in identical outfits. Wednesday was Formal Dress Day; students were seen wearing dresses and tuxedos alike with their favorite sneakers on their feet. The annual Powder Puff football game for the girls also was Wednesday. Thursday was Class Color Day, and the Power Puff volleyball match for the guys was also that day.

On Friday, the student body dressed in red and white and gathered for a pep rally in the gym. Later that night, the Pacelli football team defeated Weyauwega-Fremont 33 to 13. School spirit was high as homecoming king and queen Eddie Hartman and Callyn Haupert and the rest of the homecoming court were crowned the following evening at the dance.

Overall it was a wonderful week of Pacelli pride.

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3

November 2011

By Hanna Burch Our Voice Staff Ben Franklin Junior High School Ninth-Grader

Dead or Alive

“No, you chose to leave! You left Mom, me, our family. You abandoned me.”

Angela got up from her seat and stared at her father.

“You didn’t want me. You left. I wondered about you all the time when I was little. Where was my daddy? Why did he leave? Did he like me? You didn’t care!”

Angela was hysterical.

Carlos looked calm, but inside, he felt the guilt built up over the years.

“Angie … I’m … I’m … sorry,” Carlos whispered, begging for forgiveness. But Angela wasn’t done.

“Do you know how it feels, growing up alone, not having a father to look up to? I watched my friends admire their dads and sit on their laps. But you weren’t there.

You weren’t there when I needed you, to hold my hand, to read to me, to kiss me goodnight. You were selfish.” Angela was crying.

“You didn’t want to stay and raise your daughter. You left with no indication of where you might go. Mom had no idea.

She was so heartbroken she chose to drink away her life. She still isn’t over it! Have you been here? All this time? Did you leave me to come … under the ocean?”

Carlos considered lying, but slowly, he nodded and bowed his head. This made Angie even more upset.

“Oh. My. God. You were! You left me to come … HERE! Oh my gosh, I don’t believe it. My own father...” Angela started pacing, thinking in disbelief.

“Angela Rose, I had to. You don’t understand. I never wanted to leave. You don’t know the full story.” Carlos defended himself.

Angela stopped ranting and glared at him. “Oh really? Well, let’s see, what IS this full story that caused you to leave your own daughter. Geez, I’m dying to hear this.”

Carlos opened his mouth, then closed it. “Sorry, honey, I can’t,” he whispered.

Carlos slowly turned and walked away.

Angela collapsed in the room corner and sobbed.

••• “Here, honey,” Carleen helped Angela get up and gave her a soda.

“Thanks.” Carleen walked her back to her room where she gave instructions to rest up before dinner.

“Tonight’s the monthly dinner with all Plan 75 employees, so we’ll get you looking clean and fresh, OK? I think I might have a few dresses down in the company closet that will fit you.” Angela nodded and lay down on her bed.

That night Angela walked into a large ballroom-like place where hundreds of tables were set up throughout the large space. She was wearing her hair, recently washed and curled, in soft swirls down her back that covered the top of her light pink dress. She had silver-thronged sandals on her feet. She stood back in the corner of the room and watched hundreds of people walk through the doors, all dressed up and politely chatting. The employees mingled about while Angela sipped her punch she had retrieved from the refreshments table.

“So, what are you doing here?” a low voice asked behind her. Angela gave a small start and looked around. A handsome man stood behind her, a drink in hand and a small arrogant smile plastered on his face.

“Oh, well, I’m ... a guest,” Angela finally answered and turned back around. She didn’t like the looks of this guy. He didn’t take the hint. Or at least, he ignored it.

“Well, miss, it’s my pleasure. I’m Hunter.

And you?” He walked up behind her and stood looking down at her from the side.

“Angie,” she said looking straight ahead.

“You know what? I just spotted someone I need to talk to. Nice to meet you.” Angie walked quickly away and headed toward the opposite side of the ballroom, where she took a seat near a small hallway containing restrooms.

Editor’s note: This is the 12th chapter in a continuing series. The 13th installment will appear in the December issue.

A few minutes later, she went to use the restroom. She was about to open the bathroom stall to exit, but two voices stopped her, talking quickly and quietly outside the restroom door.

“Did you get it?” a lady asked.

“Yes. Here. Do you need anything else?” a second lady asked.

“No. Now that we have it installed, all we have to do is wait.”

“Wait for what exactly?”

“For Carlos to disappear.”

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November 2011

Author Spotlight: Thomas Lakeman

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By Danielle Pederson Our Voice Staff Stevens Point Area Senior High 10th grader

try my hardest to write about authors whose books everyone can read — not just girls and not just guys. However, I realize that most of my readers are girls (sorry guys who are reading this).

This author is definitely one who is not well-known. He only has three books that I know of, and I have enjoyed all of them.

Thomas Lakeman is an author who should get a lot more praise than he is receiving. His writing is captivating and intriguing. I could go on and on about Thomas Lakeman. He is an author who I wish would write more.

His books include: “Chillwater Cove,” “The Shadow Catchers” and “Broken Wing.” I hope anyone reading this will read at least one of his books.

Coming in the next issue ... look for the Author Spotlight on Sarah Dessen.

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November 2011

By Hanna Burch Our Voice Staff Ben Franklin Junior High School Ninth-Grader

Editor’s note: Beginning this month, we will feature a local junior high or high school student as our Student to Know each month in Our Voice.

Student to Know:

E

Emily Erdmann

mily Erdmann is a ninthgrader at Ben Franklin Junior High School. She has one older sister and one younger sister. Emily enjoys art class, because it’s a great way to just sit down and put all your effort into something. She is a part of the Student Council, Yearbook Club, Newspaper Club and FCCLA, a leadership club for youth. She also enjoys dance.

“It’s a great way to express yourself, relieve stress and feel good about yourself,” she said.

Personal goals are very important to have for students. Emily’s goals for the year are to maintain a 4.0 GPA and to balance a busy sched-

ule, in and out of school. She’s not sure what she wants to do with her life, but she knows she wants to be happy and successful, and be surrounded by people who have those same goals.

Emily’s role model is her mom, an English teacher at Ben Franklin, because she’s done such a good job raising a family and she succeeds at whatever she does. Emily cares passionately about her entire family and everything they’ve done for her.

Inspiration is a great feeling, and Emily is inspired whenever she see the effects of her actions on others.

“If I can make others happy, it drives me to do better,” she said.

Emily also feels motivated by having a positive attitude. After all, there is no way to get anything done while telling yourself you can’t.

Emily believes a positive attitude has a huge effect. It can change the way you look at things, and you can make your own sunshine on a rainy day.

“My best advice for all students is to have a sense of humor,” she said.

“If you go through life being serious all the time, you’re missing out on all the fun you could be having!”

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Do you know a local junior high or high school student who should be featured as our Student to Know in Our Voice. If so, contact Jamie Jung at 715-3452256 or email jamie. jung@cwnews.net.

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November 2011

Teacher to Know:

By Danielle Pederson Our Voice Staff Stevens Point Area Senior High 10th grader

Editor’s note: Beginning this month, we will feature a local junior high or high school teacher as our Teacher to Know each month in Our Voice.

Jill Quinn

J

ill Quinn, 36, of Scandinavia is an English teacher at Stevens Point Area Senior High. She teaches Focus on Literature, Writers Workshop 2 and Writers Workshop 2 AP. Mrs. Quinn grew up in Finksburg, Md., with two older sisters. She has five nephews and nieces, ranging in age from 7 to 20. Mrs. Quinn only has five cousins because her father was an only child.

Mrs. Quinn has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree in environmental education from Montclair State University in New Jersey and a master’s degree in creative nonfiction from Goucher College in Baltimore, Md. Her most memorable moment in the classroom was when she was a teacher

at Wisconsin River Academy, an outdoor environmental secondary charter school in Stevens Point. She said the students would be outside and they would be so close to fawns or other mammals.

Of course, her favorite subject when she was a student was English and her favorite book is “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” by Annie Dillard. She said something students may be surprised to learn about her is that she is a big texter (but NOT during class).

The reason Mrs. Quinn wanted to become a teacher was because she loved school and it was either pay for more classes and stay in school forever or become a teacher ... she chose being a teacher.

Jill Quinn, an English teacher at Stevens Point Area Senior High, displays her book “Deranged: Finding a Sense of Place in the Landscape and Lifespan.” (STEVENS POINT JOURNAL FILE PHOTO)

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Do you know a local junior high or high school teacher who should be featured as our Teacher to Know in Our Voice.

If so, contact Jamie Jung at 715-345-2256 or email jamie.jung@ cwnews.net.

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November 2011

Study lab encourages student accountability

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For Our Voice

t is a new and modern twist on “No Child Left Behind” to benefit their students as the staff of Ben Franklin Junior High School designs an update to their study lab format. The implementation has been very effective and began at the start of the 2011-12 school year.

Principal Connie Negaard has adapted the time usually allotted for just finishing a few class assignments to something much more.

“The students will have time to complete homework assignments, receive tutoring and enjoy interaction with a teacher to enhance their learning experience,” Negaard said. Furthermore, teachers are consistently monitoring student grades

and will provide interventions as necessary.

The program also allows opportunities for students to have fun occasionally as educational goals are met.

Various options available during this time to encourage and reward students may include office monitor assignments, music practice rooms and access to computer labs.

The concentration is for students to receive additional assistance with the uniquely designed study hall. Study lab teachers are consistent with a strong augmentation in various areas to present successful tactics for the student body.

The new format will allow for Ben Franklin students to also become independent and invest in their academic

Ben Franklin Junior High School students Olivia Jascor and Jewel Lucas finish a class project during study hall.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

outcome. Students can take this time to ask questions one-on-one, receive updates and information on class assignments or research.

“Seeing the impact of smaller class sizes on stu-

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dent attitude and behavior is extremely encouraging,” said Julie Kolarik, science teacher at Ben Franklin.

“The smaller study lab format allows for more individualized interaction and

that positive attention transfers to students. They seem to be more aware of their own work habits and concerned with doing well. It’s not uncommon for students to come up to me and ask, ‘Can I check my grades?’ ‘I have all my work in, can I use the computer for math games?’ ‘I’m doing well in all my classes, do you have anything I can help with?’ or just pull out a book and read when they are all done with their work. The connections teachers make with their students encourages them to want to do well and I find that motivating.”

The ability to obtain a strong knowledge of the basic skills and developing important study habits will definitely prepare our middle school kids for their

next step: High school curriculum at Stevens Point Area Senior High, Pacelli High School or any other upper level coursework.

“The most beneficial part of the study lab is the accountability,” said Lori Ferguson-Borton, Spanish teacher at Ben Franklin. “If students are missing assignments, I talk to them about the assignments. Some students are now checking their own grades and missing assignments instead of waiting for me to come to them. The ultimate goal is that they keep track of their own work and develop the intrinsic motivation to do well.”

Contributed by Jacqueline Rose for Ben Franklin Junior High School.

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November 2011

CALLING ALL WRITERS!

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re you a student in Portage County who loves to write?

Are you interested in learning what it takes to put a newspaper together?

Do you want your artwork or creative writing pieces published?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, this student newspaper needs your help.

Our Voice, a monthly product of the Stevens Point Journal and the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County, needs students to write about issues affecting them, entertainment, fashion, books, sports and more.

Co-founder Sam Dinga created this publication in summer 2006, recognizing

that youth often are disengaged from newspapers. He created it to boost interest in reading and writing.

Our Voice is delivered to all households in the boundaries of the Stevens Point Area Public School District with students in grades six to 12. It also is available at the Boys & Girls Club sites. There is no fee to join the staff, and students can write as much or as little as they want.

If you are interested in learning more, call Jamie Jung at 715-345-2256.

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